Twinkle Twinkle
by Kaori Ekuni
Twinkle Twinkle is the charming first book by the award-winning novelist Kaori Ekuni. Between its covers are both a very modern Japanese tale and a story that crosses cultural boundaries with issues that are human, not exclusively Japanese.
Shoko and Mutsuki were victims of ambitious parents looking to make an arranged marriage for their respective children. Neither Shoko nor Mutsuki had an interest in marriage, and once they realized that, they realized they would be perfect for each other. Or so it would seem. Mutsuki is a gay doctor and Shoko is emotionally unstable and has a fancy for the liquid pleasures in life. By satisfying their parents’ desire to see them married they can “get them off their backs” and live their lives how they desire.
The fact is that the respective parents knew of their own child’s hurdles to marriage, but not of the other child's. This leads to more instability in the virtual fort Shoko and Mutsuki have built for themselves. Another source of both pleasure and strife in is Mutsuki’s lifetime lover, Kon. Although Shoko and Mutsuki live a “sexless" marriage (a popular English term in Japan), the only one without sexual desires is Shoko. Their “business relationship” grows into one of mutual dependence as Shoko and Mutsuki’s secrets start to leak out. More is complicated as Shoko develops a friendship with her husband’s lover at the same time her own father learns of his existence. Keeping the parents happy, a desire for children, alcohol, love, and a husband who tries to set up his wife… all enough to drive anyone over the edge.
Twinkle Twinkle is written from both the husband’s and the wife’s perspectives, alternating voices each chapter. What is revealed is less differing views, and more a mutual desire to support their struggling partners, however they can. The book is written with a real sense of honesty and realism. Some aspects of the story are very obviously Japanese, as in the idea of an arranged marriage, but there are also some more deep rooted Japanese themes. The idea of modern Tokyoites having to create elaborate lies just to fulfill their own personal desires, when honesty is obviously the faster, but more embarrassing path, has a certain Japanese charm to it.
Certain other aspects have more internationally recognizable themes. Themes of honesty and betrayal run throughout. Being gay, and fitting into society is certainly an issue people deal with all around the world. Also, where there is alcohol there is alcoholism. However, Ekuni gives us her characters without judgment or opinion. In one scene Shoko thinks to herself, "Before I got married I used to often soak in the tub with a glass of whiskey. It’s a great feeling. The alcohol goes straight to your head…I could feel all the blood in my body fizzing like soda water…” (p60). Ekuni never tries to lead the reader’s opinion, and, in turn, the idea of judgment never calls into play for the audience.
Twinkle Twinkle is a quick read and a satisfying book. It shows the struggles of two unique individuals, but the themes addressed apply to all of us. It’s hard not to feel like you are a close part of Shoko and Mutuski’s lives, maybe even sleeping between them on their steam-ironed sheets.
Twinkle Twinkle is the charming first book by the award-winning novelist Kaori Ekuni. Between its covers are both a very modern Japanese tale and a story that crosses cultural boundaries with issues that are human, not exclusively Japanese.
Shoko and Mutsuki were victims of ambitious parents looking to make an arranged marriage for their respective children. Neither Shoko nor Mutsuki had an interest in marriage, and once they realized that, they realized they would be perfect for each other. Or so it would seem. Mutsuki is a gay doctor and Shoko is emotionally unstable and has a fancy for the liquid pleasures in life. By satisfying their parents’ desire to see them married they can “get them off their backs” and live their lives how they desire.
The fact is that the respective parents knew of their own child’s hurdles to marriage, but not of the other child's. This leads to more instability in the virtual fort Shoko and Mutsuki have built for themselves. Another source of both pleasure and strife in is Mutsuki’s lifetime lover, Kon. Although Shoko and Mutsuki live a “sexless" marriage (a popular English term in Japan), the only one without sexual desires is Shoko. Their “business relationship” grows into one of mutual dependence as Shoko and Mutsuki’s secrets start to leak out. More is complicated as Shoko develops a friendship with her husband’s lover at the same time her own father learns of his existence. Keeping the parents happy, a desire for children, alcohol, love, and a husband who tries to set up his wife… all enough to drive anyone over the edge.
Twinkle Twinkle is written from both the husband’s and the wife’s perspectives, alternating voices each chapter. What is revealed is less differing views, and more a mutual desire to support their struggling partners, however they can. The book is written with a real sense of honesty and realism. Some aspects of the story are very obviously Japanese, as in the idea of an arranged marriage, but there are also some more deep rooted Japanese themes. The idea of modern Tokyoites having to create elaborate lies just to fulfill their own personal desires, when honesty is obviously the faster, but more embarrassing path, has a certain Japanese charm to it.
Certain other aspects have more internationally recognizable themes. Themes of honesty and betrayal run throughout. Being gay, and fitting into society is certainly an issue people deal with all around the world. Also, where there is alcohol there is alcoholism. However, Ekuni gives us her characters without judgment or opinion. In one scene Shoko thinks to herself, "Before I got married I used to often soak in the tub with a glass of whiskey. It’s a great feeling. The alcohol goes straight to your head…I could feel all the blood in my body fizzing like soda water…” (p60). Ekuni never tries to lead the reader’s opinion, and, in turn, the idea of judgment never calls into play for the audience.
Twinkle Twinkle is a quick read and a satisfying book. It shows the struggles of two unique individuals, but the themes addressed apply to all of us. It’s hard not to feel like you are a close part of Shoko and Mutuski’s lives, maybe even sleeping between them on their steam-ironed sheets.
posted by John T at 10:51 AM
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